Will Allow Bottles And A Bag Similar To US Rules

Three months after security officials broke up a terrorist plot in London that would have used liquid explosives to bring down passenger aircraft, the UK has decided to modify the restrictions against bringing liquids on board.

The new rules will essentially mirror the modified rules the US Transportation Security Agency adopted last month to allow limited liquids and gels to be brought on board in the passenger's carry-on bags.

The rules are being introduced across the European Union next week and will allow passengers to carry containers no larger than 1000ml, and all the bottles must fit into a one liter resealable clear plastic bag.

A spokesman for the Department for Security (Britain's equivalent of the TSA) said, "The security measures introduced at UK airports in August were in response to a very real and serious threat.

"We have always said that we would keep these measures under review, and in September we introduced changes which increased the permitted size of cabin baggage that passengers could take on board.

"Following consultations with industry and international partners, we can now introduce a change to the ban on taking liquids through the security checkpoint, to add to passenger convenience while continuing to maintain rigorous security."

Liquids and gels on board aircraft departing Britain were completely banned since the August 10 plot was discovered.

FMI: www.dft.gov.uk